Farmington Valley Certified Nurse’s Aide Program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a (CNA) Certified Nurse Aide?
A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, helps patients or clients with healthcare needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) job puts you on the front lines of patient care. Nursing assistants are vital to daily operations in hospitals and nursing care facilities. Your compassion and skill in patient care will help minimize the stress of those who are sick or unable to care for themselves.
The role of a Certified Nurse Aide is to assist patients with everyday tasks such as eating, bathing and dressing. Many Certified Nurse Aides develop close bonds with their patients because they spend a significant amount of time together.
Where can I find work?
Certified Nurse Aides are most often employed at assisted living facilities, in a private home environment, long-term and nursing care facilities. Certified Nurse Aides also work at hospitals, which provide a more fast paced environment. Your responsibilities as a Certified Nurse Aide are helpful if you plan to become an LPN or RN in the future.
How Do I Become a CNA?
Certified Nurse Aides are not required to have a college degree to work in their field. However, Certified Nurse Aides must complete a post-secondary non-degree program to work.
To become a Certified Nurse Aide, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED, plus nursing assistant training. In addition you must be at least 17 years of age, have no criminal record and pass an aptitude examination.
Once you have completed the coursework, you will need to take a state exam. You will be tested on your basic nursing knowledge and skills. A Certified Nurse Aide will be expected to correctly answer questions about daily living activities, patient/client rights, communication, legal and ethical behavior and working as a health care team member, among other topics.
What is C. G. Nursing Services, LLC?
C.G. Nursing Services, LLC is offering an extensive Certified Nurse’s Aide Program called Farmington Valley Certified Nurse’s Aide Program, located a 3 Forest Park Drive, Farmington, CT. The curriculum is approved by the Department of Health and the Office of Higher Education.
Facts About the Program:
The course is a 135 hour program. There will be 90 hours of combined classroom and supervised lab as well as 45 hours of clinical experience.
The Day Program runs for three consecutive weeks. Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Evening Program runs for seven consecutive weeks. Monday through Thursday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
In the course of the training students will learn as many as 25 skills that are important and required for the clinical skills examination.
Explain the Application Process.
Farmington Valley Certified Nurse’s Aide Program applicants should be prepared to discuss their career goals, relevant experience, and educational background during the admission interview. The application process includes completion of medical forms, background investigation, criminal background, credit history, social security verification, motor vehicle record, previous employment and successful passing of a drug test.All applicants must complete an application for admission to the school and pay a non-refundable fee of $100.00.
If an Applicant has had a Misdemeanor or Felony Charges in the Past, Can They Still Register for the Course?
Discrepancies on a background check will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Director. If an applicant knows past issues will appear on a background check, the applicant should make an appointment to discuss the situation with the Director prior to completing the background check.
What is the Cost for the Program?
A $100.00 Application Fee (non-refundable) must be submitted with the application.
The tuition for the Certified Nurse’s Aide program/course and Dementia Care Certification is $1,235.00, the cost of books is $100.00. Students are also responsible for purchasing uniformed scrubs. The cost for 2 sets of scrubs is $170.00. The total cost of the program/course will be $1,605.00.
How will I know how I am doing in the program/course?
If at any point during the course the student’s average falls below 75%, the student will be notified and counseled.
In the classroom after the first exam on the second day each student will receive a progress report daily. The report will outline test scores and the performance to date. If the student requires immediate counseling, the counseling will be arranged within the next scheduled class day.
What is the Next Step After Taking the Course?
After completion of the course students will be prepared and eligible for the Connecticut State Examination written and Clinical Skills Examination. In addition, upon receiving certification as Certified Nurse Aide the students will be eligible to apply to The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners for certification as a Dementia Care Provider. This preparation for Dementia Certification is not offered at any other Certified Nurse’s Aide Program in the Farmington Valley.
Explain the Testing Procedure.
Graduates of a state-approved nurse aide training program can register to sit the state evaluation for nurse aides. The Nurse Aide Exam comprises of the Clinical Skills test and a Written test. First-time candidates must register for both components. The exact procedure depends on the eligibility route. The nursing home or training facility will schedule your exam if the site offers in-facility testing. Otherwise, you can contact Prometric directly to arrange for testing at a regional test site. Prometric accepts credit cards, money order and certified checks only.
The written exam contains 60 multiple choice questions, which you must complete in 90 minutes. For the clinical exam, the computer will assign three tasks, and you will be scored on those three assignments in addition to two additional skills – Hand washing and Indirect Care.
The duration of the skills components ranges from 30 to 40 minutes depending on the tasks assigned. Students who demonstrate competency when performing the skills will pass the exam.
Certification Costs
The testing fee varies. See the fee schedule below:
- $118 – Clinical Skills and Written Examination (first time)
- $128 – Clinical Skills and Oral Examination (first time)
- $73 – Clinical Skills Retest
- $45 – Written Retest
- $55 – Oral Retest
- $15 – Duplicate certificate
- 25 – Rescheduling fee
On exam day, you must walk with the following:
- Two forms of identification – one should have your picture
- Three No. 2 pencils
- An eraser
- A watch with a second hand
- Your social security number
- Prometric recommends that your wear scrubs and flat, non-skid, closed-toe shoes to the exam.
Renewal
The certification period is valid for 24 months, so you must re-certify your license every two years. Re-certification will not affect the actual certificate (just the status at the registry), which does not have an expiration date.
Contact the Registry
Prometric 7941 Corporate Drive, Nottingham, MD 21236
Phone: 866.499.7485, Fax: 800.813.6670
www.prometric.com/Nurse-Aide/CT
Connecticut Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Avenue, MS 12MQA, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone: 860.509.7596
How do I transfer my CNA certification to another state?
If you already are Licensed, Certified, or Registered or State Approved in your own state and want to move to another state, you will need to request reciprocity. This means that you are asking the new state to recognize the approval you received from your home state. Contact the State registry in your home state and request a “Application for Enrollment by Reciprocity”. Follow the directions on the application.
Farmington Valley Certified Nurse’s Aide Program does not guarantee job placement.